Fight Back

The bible addresses the issue of fear over 500 times in the King James Version (quora.com) and tells us to “fear not” over 360 times.  The fact that God devotes that much time to this one issue should draw our attention.  Fear has the potential to stop us in our tracks, slow our progress, and take us off course if we don’t think about it and deal with it as we should.  We will feel fear and God knows it.  So, when we’re faced with a challenge and have a fear response we shouldn’t be shocked.  What we do next is what’s important.

The fear we’re talking about is not the reverential fear of God (Proverbs 9:10), but rather the fear of something, someone (other than God)- some concept- some experience, or some other unknown.   It’s an emotion we feel when we sense or perceive a danger or threat to our physical or emotional well-being.

Fear exposes what’s deep in our hearts and our responses to what we feel often tell on us.  How? Well, when we’re afraid that something won’t go our way we might just become a little cranky or begin to complain.  When we fear starting a new venture it’s not unusual for us to talk about everything we believe is holding us back from stepping out.  We fear building new relationships because we might be rejected.  And, maybe we pull back from taking a risk because we’re convinced that doing it will cause us to lose too much.

There’s power in speaking to what frightens us.  Sometimes we just have to look an issue in the eye and tell it what we know and believe.  It’s a process that reminds us of God’s promises, builds our resolve, encourages us through difficulty, and prepares us to push past what scares us.  Some say we should ‘fight fire with fire’ but as Christians we need to fight back by facing fear head-on with the power of the Holy Spirit.  After all, if God tells us that He’ll be with us we need to believe Him and then go one step further- act like it.

We can build stamina as we face what scares us.  So, let’s take a look at what God says:

• Joshua 1:9.”I command you– be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged.  For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
• Matthew 6:34.” So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries.  Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
• Psalm 34:4.”I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me, freeing me from all my fears.”
• Psalm 23:4.”Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.  Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.”
• John 14:27.”I am leaving you with a gift- peace of mind and heart.  And the peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives.  So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
• Proverbs 3:5-6.”Trust in the Lord with all you heart; and do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths”.
• 2 Timothy 1:7.”For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

We belong to God and that fact changes everything.  When He says, “do not fear”, He’s exposing his Fatherly character.  We’re not alone, abandoned or without help.  We can look to Him and lean on Him.  He’s there with us through it all and will give us the strength we need to face whatever is holding us back.

Prayer

Lord, Sometimes our emotions get the best of us and we believe what we feel more than we believe what You say.  Please forgive us.  We don’t want our fears to take control over the way we make decisions, deal with people, or think about ourselves.  Today, we want to trust You, do what we need to do, and live well.

In Jesus’ Name,
Amen

Live well,
Michele